First, Our Newest Entries!

Marilyn & Billy deliver a poignant “Silent Night” as part of their appearance on “The Waltons Homecoming.” Sing along with them here:  https://youtu.be/gBZUhZl5svk

Florence & The 5th Dimension (Patrice, Leonard, Sidney & Floyd) present this charming version of “Winter Wonderland,” a treat for the ears & eyes! Watch here:  https://youtu.be/j7kY9Tot6eU

Billy & Marilyn featuring Soldiers for the Second Coming bring a swingin’ “It Wouldn’t Be Christmas” as they remind us about “the reason for the season,” at this link: https://youtu.be/1fauCVAixwU 

*****

As biographer of The Original 5th Dimension and LaMonte McLemore, I’ve often been asked why The 5th didn’t record a Christmas album or one “major holiday perennial.”  I went right to our pal, Bones Howe (The 5th’s Dimension’s Grammy-winning producer) for some insight:  “Robert, perhaps it was an oversight, but the group was so busy on the road and on TV, that my time with The 5th in-studio was very select…my focus was on getting hits and cohesive albums for them.”  LaMonte adds, “It’s my one regret, Robert. Studio sessions were of utmost importance to The 5th Dimension, we just couldn’t find the right time with our busy schedules to give a Christmas recording the justice it deserved.”  

And so friends, here’s an array of Christmas goodies post-Original 5th days, starring Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Marilyn & Billy Davis, Jr., and The 5th Dimension (today) from various TV appearances over the years! *Bonus: And Marilyn & Billy add new special commentary to the festivities, exclusively told to me for FOREVER 5th! ~~Robert-Allan Arno

Marilyn with Donna Summer, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_WC7v4PlXU

*Marilyn smiles, “I recall Donna coming to my dressing room to rehearse, her voice was so powerful she nearly blew me out of the room! We miss our good friend.”

Holiday Greetings from Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA42qt0BYAY

 

Florence sings “My Grown-Up Christmas List” Live on West Coast Praze:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cj1g-RkVks

Recorded as a limited-edition single over a decade ago, Florence expressed these sentiments: “The lyrics just spoke to my heart. More than ever, during this holiday season, we all need songs of healing and hope. ‘My Grown-Up Christmas List’ is just that anthem.”

Marilyn, Christmas in Washington, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”:

*Marilyn mentions:  “This performance was a cherished moment.”
https://youtu.be/S9xNbCT0Cyc

A Solid Gold Christmas (many parts!) starring Marilyn McCoo and special guests Andrae Crouch, Crystal Gale, Laura Branigan, Sister Sledge, Marie Osmond, more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4Jc_m4sQA

*Marilyn & Billy sum it up so beautifully:  “Robert, you’ve provided links to some of the lesser known but truly important (artistically) performances our our careers.  Thank you for the time, thought and energy you put into the chronicling of Florence’s, LaMontes’, Ronald’s and our lives.  You are a blessing!”

Fans & friends, thank you for “tuning in” to the FOREVER 5th DIMENSION blog, now in our 15th year.  The continued enthusiastic support from you and our stars–Marilyn & Billy, Florence, and LaMonte is both heartwarming and exhilarating! It’s been an exciting year, and we’ll be featuring our “Greatest Hits of 2022” countdown right here, between Christmas & New Year. 

With Holiday Warmth,

Robert-Allan Arno

It’s a holiday tradition, Marilyn McCoo’s White Christmas, available at http://www.mccoodavis.com

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright ’08-22, intellectual property, all rights reserved.)